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Malvinas in Britain's Imperialist Claws

(TEHRAN) - The simmering tensions over the Malvinas Islands or Falkland Islands (off the coast of Argentina in the South Atlantic) as called by the British occupiers have become a matter of great concern as the UK decided to deploy destroyer HMS Dauntless to the islands.

The British Royal Navy is planning to send the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless, a state-of-the-art warship, to the region on her maiden mission in a few months, a move interpreted by some experts as a provocation of war. Also known as the Daring class, HMS Dauntless is often regarded the most powerful air-defense warship in the world. This warship is equipped with the SAMPSON Multi Function Radar with the capability to detect hundreds of targets out to a distance of 400 km as well as outer atmosphere objects such as ballistic missiles.

Argentine Vice-president Amado Boudou sees the escalating conflict as an excuse to “distract public opinion from serious domestic problems such as unemployment.”

“London is after issues of big media impact to hide the daily sufferings of Britain with its problems of unemployment, shrinking economy, social unrest by appealing to a very distant situation such is the South Atlantic Islands dispute.”

However, the British Royal Navy says the Portsmouth-based destroyer's deployment is “not a reaction to heightened tensions over the Falklands.” Paradoxically, Britain has already deployed anti-aircraft installations, a tracker station and modern jet fighters on the archipelago.

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner says the UK harbors secret plans to plunder the natural resources such as oil and fish in the area of the territorial dispute and that Argentina insists on her legitimate claim to the islands.

HMS Dauntless

“Don't expect an outcry of xenophobia from us, we stand on the concept of sovereignty which is in agreement with the interests of the state, our people and protection of our natural resources.”

British Prime Minister David Cameron has recently slammed Argentina for trying to 'colonize' the Malvinas Islands while the UK has basically cast its specter of imperialistic domination and colonization of Argentina's South Atlantic islands since 1833.

“What the Argentineans have been saying recently I would argue is actually far more like colonialism because these people want to remain British and the Argentineans want them to do something else," Prime Minister Cameron said on Wednesday.

Mr. Cameron's statement was, however, welcomed by a spate of criticism on the part of some Latin American leaders. For instance, Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota said Latin America and the Caribbean "back Argentine sovereignty over the Malvinas and back the UN resolutions calling on the Argentine and British governments to hold talks on the issue."

Although some pundits rule out the possibility of a full-scale invasion of the islands on the 1982 lines, Michael Clarke, head of the Royal United Services Institute, believes that a similar invasion particularly supported by the construction of an airfield at Mount Pleasant is possible. “In the event of tension, the UK could quickly reinforce the island because of its control of the airfield. We simply don't need the kind of naval taskforce we had in 1982.”

On Friday 2 April 1982, Argentine forces mounted an attack on the Malvinas Islands and South Georgia in order to redeem their long occupied territory. Britain sent a naval task force and retook the islands through amphibious assault. The war, which lasted 74 days, ended to the triumph of the British imperialist army, claiming the lives of over 600 Argentine troops, and 255 British soldiers.

Britain has a long-standing interest in the Malvinas' oil which originally dates back to a couple of decades. In 1975, Britain conducted preliminary studies in this regard and in 1998-2009, two British exploratory missions succeeded in proving the oil potential of the area. It remains unclear how much oil there is in the Malvinas islands but initial estimations place the offshore petroleum potential at a minimum of 6.525 billion barrels of oil.

On March 22, 2011, British transnational Rockhopper announced it had discovered a commercially viable deposit of crude oil in the Malvinas. Rockhopper Exploration PLC reported a "significant reservoir package" at its Sea Lion prospect.

When the company gave an initial report on its oil find at Sea Lion, Argentinean President Cristina Kirchner's administration issued a statement and said the oil-drilling operation runs counter to international laws and treaties as well as UN resolutions which urge both sides to not take steps which might exacerbate the situation.

With an established history of imperialism and colonization, Britain has long coveted the windswept Malvinas as a strategic shipping stopover and treasure-trove of natural resources such as oil and fish.

With economy declining terminally at home, Britain is exploring ways to save itself either by virtue of climbing on the shoulders of others i.e. digging its imperialistically colonialist claws into others i.e. the Malvinas Islands or by foisting its weapons off on nations with a turbulent status quo such as Bahrain.

That the British government is contemplating another imperialist adventure in the Malvinas Islands is an irrefutable assumption but it is painfully difficult to conjecture how Britain is going to achieve this nefarious objective.

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Dr. Ismail Salami is an Iranian writer, Middle East expert, Iranologist and lexicographer. He writes extensively on the US and Middle East issues and his articles have been translated into a number of languages.

Dr. Salami examines the historical developments that impact national relations today, and the way western people view Iran. Salem-News.com has carried stories from Iranian writers for years and the critical politics have been and remain under our microscope of truth and fair play. This is essential in a world teetering on the brink of a third world war, over continual unfounded allegations of Iran's development of enriched uranium for a nuclear bomb.

The stark irony of the story is that Iran's primary accuser, Israel, is in possession of hundreds of nuclear weapons, the very type they accuse Iran of "plotting" to develop. In truth, Iran has almost no history of aggression toward the United States.

Misinformation shapes opinion, and a large percentage of Americans have never been provided accurate information about the history of Iran and the western powers and their eternal quests for cheap oil. They don't comprehend the fact that Iran was ruled by the west, by proxy, throughout the years of the Shah, and that this only ended with the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Matthew June 1, 2012 12:30 am (Pacific time)

If you had properly researched the history of the islands, you would have reached the correct conclusion. Unfortunately, you have allowed Iran's dispute with the West over other issues to cloud your judgement. This issue is entirely separate and if there are any colonial intentions, they belong to Argentina. It's impossible to take an editor seriously when they label an entire people as "scoundrels". You're more of a blogger than an editor.

Editor: 'More of a blogger than an editor', are you more human than Martian? Matthew, friend, you really need to not be so far ranging with your thoughts, state your opinion but keep the silly stuff to yourself mate.

Richard February 12, 2012 1:09 pm (Pacific time)

Mr Editor, calm down sunshine. You hate the Brits with passion and hate waffles with syrup. And yet around the world, millions like waffles and millions like the Brits! The point to all of your muckraking is, (as I see it), that the rights for a people to have self determination should not be allowed. Following your logic, should the Brits recolonize Iran? Or is it that self determination is selective in your eyes? Argie President Christina Kirchner is one of that nation's richest people - most thru ill gotten gains (quite normal in South America). She and her buddy, the American hating Hugo Chavez have and continue to rip off their respective nations wealth. The problem with these type of folk (like other South American 'leaders', are that they represent either neo communist ideology or hard rightwing juntas.These people are a nasty piece of work. Hate the Brits with fervor if you must (they won't be bothered), but don't be suckered into giving partisan endorsements to Brit and American hating nutjobs. Finally, I am proud of the US Marines BUT you underestimate the Royal Marines thru your own Brit hating ignorance. The Royal Marines continue to be among the most feared and respected military on this planet. They are an elite regiment whilst our US Marines are not - so on that score the Royal Marines are of a far higher standard.

Editor: I don't hate Brits, that is not accurate, In fact I appreciate the fact that they are generally extremely police next to Americans What I hate are the violent, greedy actions of the western governments that are like a bunch of bobble head dolls that have no ability to resist following along every time, on every count. I do have major issues with the colonizing ways of the empire, it is true, and I love the Argentine people, and it is their self-determination that I also believe in, you guys have had more than your share and you wore it out!

The Man February 8, 2012 3:43 pm (Pacific time)

Wow, completely lacking in subtlety and even the slightest attempt at impartiality! For shame. You obviously have an agenda, but surely this could be gotten across using guile and literary skill? And all this hyperbole from both governments is pointless, militarily or diplomatically the Falklands/Malvinas will remain under British control for the next 50 years. The UN has no real power to do anything to force Britains hand, and with 3000 islanders all demanding to stay british what could they really do? And should Argentina consider invading, their military hardware is vastly lacking compared to Britains battle hardened well equipped army.

Steve February 7, 2012 9:06 am (Pacific time)

WOW! I have never read such a biased story with so many untruths. Dr. Ismail needs to do some researching before posting such drivel, this story is only good for spreading hate. Shame on you.

Will February 5, 2012 10:22 am (Pacific time)

Get those bad boy imperialistic Brits out of there so those good guy Argies can exploit the place. Previous article is full of inaccuracies, untrueths and totally prejudicial.

Bill February 5, 2012 2:57 am (Pacific time)

The Argies want the bad Brits out so that they can plunder the islands.

Bill February 4, 2012 2:53 pm (Pacific time)

Really-Royal Marines are an elite special force. Without taking away from the U.S. Marines they cannot be compared.The author of this article is way off base.

Editor: The comment about Royal Marines, which really is intended to be tongue-in-cheek, was written by me, not the story author. Of course they are highly trained and elite and all of that... it's the missions I object to. And I really did expect British Royal Marines to be quite impressive and when I first met them, I was quickly reminded that they are just like anyone else, with possibly lower standards than U.S. Marines.

Stephen February 4, 2012 3:21 pm (Pacific time)

One more note on Argentina. Over the past 12-18 months I have kept my eye on someone that interested me, and he has proven to be a legitimate source. He lives in Argentina, and knows the story. If you are interested, his name is Adrian Salbuchi, and he has many very interesting youtube videos...thanks

Nobody has mentioned Argentina and 2001. Its on youtube, I watched the entire documentary over an hour long. You should watch it. Argentina and 2001 is the big news story of the day and nobody is mentioning it? Here is the documentary, its really long tho so many wont watch it.
But it really states the current plight of Argentina, all this other history written from other posts is long gone never to return. Argentina became a western world country in 2001, end of story...Yep, it was the bankers. Please do not put me down until you view the documentary. The bankers took over Argentina, just like they do all the other countries including the U.S., Canada, Australia, the UK etc. What we have now, are the masses waking up to the banker schemes, which this article, nor the posts recognize, even tho it is the most important thing going on right now.

Anonymous February 4, 2012 11:29 am (Pacific time)

Thirty years ago, there was a military government in Argentina which had overstepped the limit in many ways and the
people were fed up. To such a point, they started protesting. So after some big rows in front of the government
house, the military invented the war against the Falklands, to change the focus to what was going on within the
country. Argentina is in a bad way economically speaking so Mrs. Kirtchner has to divert attention creating this
"patriotic" fuss and taking advantage of the 30 year anniversary. No more no less. The Islanders are happy with their
lot. They don't bother anyone and simply want to get on with their lives as they have done for the last 300 odd
years. Their proximity to the Argentine mainland is irrelevant. The Falkland Islanders choose to remain British and
whilst that is the case, Britain will not abandon them. Irrespective of the size of their Navy or Air Force, they
will do everything in their power to protect them. The islands are MUCH better protected since the 1982 conflict and
the need for a Naval Task Force is not as important as it was then. I think there are more important problems to
solve in this world and find the behaviour of these South American leaders repugnant and immature. Same for the
commenters who simply like to ramble and expose their ignorance.

Anonymous February 4, 2012 9:14 am (Pacific time)

Nothing will change. The people who live on these lands are the one's who need to be listened to, and they have no desire to be absorped by Argentina, and the Brits are backing them up. Move on, status quo forever. By the way this was going on long before oil became an issue. I love the people in Argentina, hopefully they can get a government that will serve them the way they should be served. The same thing for England and all the European countries, for it is this part of the world that will eventually bring and maintain individual freedoms. We are in store for some very dark times ahead, and even the evil in our own country will cause much grief over the next several years. Christianity is our salvation, and deep fried twinkies.

Concerned reader February 4, 2012 6:02 am (Pacific time)

How can you call this news? This is the kind of hate-mongering that gets people to hate one another. Obviously journalistic objectivism is not important in the Pacific Northwest. Last time I saw ''news'' with this much propaganda it was on Fox!!!

Eddie Zawaski February 3, 2012 7:11 pm (Pacific time)

this recent military buildup by Britain in the Malvinas proves one thing clearly: The economic and political situation in Britain today is much worse than the mainstream media is willing to report. David Cameron is simply playing the same card that Margaret Thatcher played when her government was on the brink of collapse. Thatcher was fortunate to have a drunken military dictator in the Casa Rosada who stupidly sent an invasion force to the islands believing that Britain would not respond. Cameron will not be so fortunate. Not only is Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner smart enough to eschew military action, but she simply does not possess the means to do so. argentina was so traumatized by the last military rule from 1976-83 that the country has made a 180 degree turn and is now one of the most de-militarized nations on the planet. Whatever saber-rattling Cameron has in store will produce nothing more than words from his Argentine counterparts. britain's Malvinas war games may also have something to do with the financial markets. International tensions in oil producing areas tend to lift the price of oil and the price of stocks associated with oil production. oil exploration stocks like Rockhopper can be hurt by negative rumors about the viability of their well or hurt by progress in Argentine diplomatic measures to curtail oil exploration in the region. sending a warship down there might send sagging portfolios soaring. One wonders how much Rockhopper is in the PM's personal portfolio.

This may be, as the author of this article suggests, imperialism, but it is modern twenty-first century financial iced imperialism. Only money matters. In the past twenty years, the British population of the islands has trebled and the per capita GDP has gone from one of the poorest levels in the British Empire to one of the highest. All the credit for this goes to investment in the POSSIBILITY of oil. of course the Islanders want to remain British because they are British and they are sitting on top of an oil bubble that British investors have created. when two-thirds of today's islanders are immigrants from Britain and their economy is based on natural resource extraction, it is very difficult to arge that Argentina and not Britain is acting as an imperialist power. Cameron is simply trying to muddle the argument by sending down warships on the off chance that the Argentines might repeat the stupid reaction taken thirty years ago. This is not likely.

gp February 3, 2012 6:08 pm (Pacific time)

I can't wait for the Rockhopper investors to begin their barrage of comments on this article. Last time they had to send out a shareholders memo to drum up nasty letters regarding Eddie Zawaski's article denouncing the kleptocratic rapers and pillagers.

Thirty years ago the British forces, 12,000 miles from home, rang the Argies like a gong. It really wasn't fair, standing poorly-trained Argentinian draftees up against Royal Marine Commandos, the SAS and the Gurkhas. It would be a very bad idea for de Kershner to try taking on the Brits again, because the same thing would happen all over again. The people that live on the Falklands are proud of their British heritage and have no desire to become Argentinians. ...But you can bet that the Argies have no intention of any such thing as a popular vote to decide their nationality, because they know exactly how it would come out. Considering the disaster that is socialist government of Argentina, I can see Cristina using this to distract the average person from the economic mess. I can also see Cristina getting over her distrust of the military if it serves her. It is sad that she was re elected. Argentina has potential. As in most cases, socialism destroys potential. Hopefully the people smarten up before they end up turning into a paradise like Pyong Yang or Havana.

Editor: Really? That sounds like a grade A colonial attitude Engie, too bad the British are the scoundrels who have already set this world on such a dangerous course; Palestine, Sri Lanka, Rwanda, you guys are 'it' and I think you are blowing a lot of steam here without moving an inch. Here is an idea, get that ship out of waters that it doesn't belong in, get your thoughts off the oil in Falklands Row, learn your damned lessons. Oh, and Royal Marine Commandos, I've spent time with them and next to U.S. Marines they are soft.